“Tor, I don’t think Nipple Nibblers sex cream screams ‘special holiday memories’.”
“You can use that as a lipgloss. Says right there on the package.” I give her my sweetest smile. “But you’re going to let me plan the baby shower, right?”
Ethan
Alone sliver of light cuts through the darkness at the bottom of the closet door. I’m so tired, I might fall asleep if the kids don’t find me soon, but I will my eyes to stay open.
“Ready or not, here we come!” my daughter belts from the other room.
Little feet go pounding down the hall, this way, then that, before Mila confers with her brother, who yells, “Daa-dee! We find Daa-dee!”
I smile. My kids are so stinkin’ cute.
A minute later, when the closet door swings open, I jump out with a roar, and my kids scream bloody murder and attack me with hugs and tickles.
With one child under each arm, I stomp into the living room, pretending to be a troll like that show they watch. “Who dares to cross my bridge?”
They giggle and squirm and screech until Logan and Joey run in from the other room and stab me with swords made out of old paper towel tubes and duct tape. Not sure when this game became ‘let’s hop on Ethan and beat the crap outta him,’ but we end up in a body pile on the floor with Cody wrapped around my head like an octopus, Logan giving me a wedgie from hell, and my daughter jamming her finger up my nose.
“I give up!” I’m laughing so hard, my gut hurts.
Suddenly, everyone stops and, like a family of meerkats, turns simultaneously toward the front door, where Tori stands staring at us with amusement.
“Tori!” My children release me and careen across the room, where they smash into her and take her down to the floor. Oh shit.
“Ohhhh, Toh-wee! Meees you,” Cody announces proudly as he sits on her.Aww, my little dude is telling her he missed her.
The woman left yesterday evening, but by their welcome, you’d think she’s been gone a week.
I trot over and help her up, so taken by her when our eyes connect, I almost forget we’re not doing any PDA in front of the kids. When did it become so hard to keep myself from kissing her?
“Guys, be gentle. Tori’s not your personal jungle gym.” She’smypersonal jungle gym. Or maybe I’m hers. Doesn’t really matter how you break it down.
Once she’s standing and dusted off, I give her a wink. “How’s your sister?”
“Pregnant and emotional, which makes menotpregnantbutemotional.” She leans back down to wipe something sticky off Cody’s face.
Funny how the thought of Tori being pregnant doesn’t shoot terror through my bones. Always thought after Mila and Cody, I wouldn’t want any more, but the idea of having babies with Tori makes me strangely open to the idea. If I can ever afford it, that is.
Tori would make a fantastic mother. She’s patient and kind. Loving and open-minded. Tender but passionate.
The idea of seeing her swollen with my child does something crazy to my heart.
Take it easy. You just started dating.
“Thanks for coming back to help us out. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
My children bounce around us like a pack of wolves raised them, and she gives me that secret smile, the one that promises late-night touches and out-of-this-world sex.
Clearing my throat, I ask Joey and Logan to keep an eye on my tribe while I show Tori how the filing cabinet is organized in our office.
Logan snorts. “Sure, bro. ‘Show her around.’ Show herallthe ins and outs back there.”
Joey smacks him in the gut and smiles sweetly at me and Tori. “We got it covered. Take your time.”
As soon as we’re in the office, I pin her up against the closed door. Her hands are in my hair. Mine are on her curvy ass. Our mouths connect, and somewhere in the distance, fireworks go off.
“Missed you.” I fist her hair and taste her neck. The curve of her shoulder. The sweet spot behind her ear. She smells like sunshine and flowers. Sweet and sexy and warm.
